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Ideally located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, alongside the city’s essential sights and cultural attractions, the Hotel Arai is in an historic 18th Century building
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Nestled in the Gothic Quarter, the Aparthotel Arai garners praise for its stylish atmosphere and meticulously clean, well-furnished rooms, complete with chocolates and roses that enhance the tranquil vibe. Reviewers appreciate the blend of historic charm with modern amenities in the spacious rooms, although some mention the street noise can be a bother, mitigated by the effective windows.
The rooftop pool and hotel's central location near attractions and beaches are popular among guests. Service at Aparthotel Arai is often described as warm and professional, adding to its reputation for good value, despite occasional billing hiccups.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Stylish
Rooms
Stylish
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Noise level
Mixed
Service
Helpful
Amenities
Well-appointed
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This hotel is in a great location in the Barri Gotic. The hotel staff are friendly and available 24/7. There is no restaurant on site, so breakfast is delivered to your room (which we didn't do and decided to eat at local coffee shops/cafes). There is a rooftop with a pool, but it was cloudy and/or rainy the entire time we were there so I can't comment on it. We stayed on the 5th floor in the Jewel suite - very nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath room; this could work for 2 couples, as there is a main door for the suite and then 2 separate hotel doors for each bedroom/bath. Note though that the second bedroom is 2 twin sized sofa beds. Also, the main bedroom only has a queen bed that is very firm. There is a lot of noise outside (the main bedroom is off the street and the twin bedroom off the square with restaurants; however, the sliding doors are pretty soundproof and the AC works great! The terraces were lovely for each room. We enjoyed them even though the hot tubs for each could not be used due to the drought. Both bathrooms have hand-held shower nozzle and rainfall showers. Bath products are provided, but note that there is no separate hair conditioner (only a shampoo with conditioner), so bring your own if you have curly/frizzy hair like me!
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The Jewel Suite has so much space!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 4 Apr 2024
Dear Debra, Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We are delighted to hear that you had a pleasant stay with us and that you received such courteous and professional service from our team members. We are, however, sorry to hear your bed wasn’t up to the standard you've come to expect from us. Please do not hesitate to bring any issues or concerns to our attention at the time, so that we may take action. We all look forward to the pleasure of seeing you on a future visit. Best regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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We spent four nights in this exquisite hotel and really loved our stay. The location is brilliant, right in the heart of the Gothic quarter and a perfect base for exploring the city. The rooms are full of character and kept spotlessly clean and we also enjoyed heading up to the rooftop terrace to catch some sun and have an invigorating dip in the plunge pool.
The team on Reception handled all of our requests brilliantly, including a room change. We were originally staying on the first floor but found a move to the third floor (due to an extremely squeaky sofa bed!) far better for us as a family - while the rooms are extremely well soundproofed, the square does seem to be used by rowdy locals at the weekend, who woke us up at 5am even through the brilliant soundproofed windows. Moving up to the third floor meant far more restful nights, while still being at the heart of the action in the city.
We wouldn't hesitate to return to this immaculate hotel with its knowledgeable and accommodating staff. Thank you for a memorable stay in Barcelona.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Request a room on as high a floor as possible to avoid being disturbed by sounds from the square...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 7 Nov 2023
Dear Charlotte, Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you loved the exquisite design and cleanliness of our rooms, as well as the prime location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. It is also great to know that our reception team was able to handle your requests efficiently, including the room change. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the noise from the square during your initial stay on the first floor. We are glad that moving to the third floor provided you with a more restful night's sleep. We all look forward to the pleasure of seeing you on a future visit. Best regards,
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I travel fairly regularly and usually end up in generic corporate affairs. Places like Hotel Arai generally don't get a look in. This place is like something out of an Instagram influencer's reel. Moreover the location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter is ideal for easy access to major sights, public transport and just a short walk to the beach.
As a family of four, we found the room to be just the right size for a four night stay. The main bed was comfortable but the two sofa beds were even better. This is an aparthotel so it was ideal to be able to use the small kitchenette to prepare simple breakfasts and lunches. It also has a good quality coffee machine and a toaster.
The secret sauce of this hotel is the rooftop terrace. After tiring ourselves sightseeing it was splendid to retreat to the roof, enjoy a beer and listen to the bustle of the city below. My son enjoyed a dip in the wee pool on the roof.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:The coffee cups are a bit on the small side, so consider bringing your own mugs or buy a cheap...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 26 Oct 2024
Dear James, We are grateful for this kind review about your recent stay. It is our pleasure to know that your stay at Aparthotel Arai left a lasting impression on you and your family. We are delighted that you appreciated the comfortable accommodations, the convenience of our well-equipped kitchenette, and our exclusive coffee machine with pods replenished daily. It's great to hear that the rooftop terrace provided a restful escape where you could enjoy the ambience of the city and that your son enjoyed the pool, which is indeed a favorite feature among our guests. The size of our rooms, designed to accommodate families comfortably, and the prime location within the heart of the Gothic Quarter, close to major sights and transport, are aspects we're proud to offer and we are glad they enhanced your stay. The entire team look forward to welcoming you back on a future trip. Kind regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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The Arai hotel is located in a convenient location in Barcelona for getting around but unfortunately must say the room was poorly laid out and far too small for the $515.00 per night that we paid, we stayed 4 nights and it was unfortunately most uncomfortable. I guess for that price tag our expectations were higher..
When I booked I had put 3 people in because we were traveling with our son for some reason they said we had two but regardless the "Deluxe" room we booked is noted as being for 3 people on their site since it has a pull out couch.
However if you see in the photos when you pull out the couch the whole room is just a big bed with no space to walk so if you need to use the restroom or try to get to a suitcase you have to roll or crawl over the beds to get to anything, definitely not feeling upscale, honestly I disliked being in the room since we had to do gymnastics to make our way around.
For a luxury hotel that again we paid over $515 a night for it had no place to put luggage. it had one armoire to put clothes in so much of our stuff stayed in suitcases for the 4 nights. I was somewhat embarrassed to be in the room because it felt like we were in a dorm room with luggage on floor and the postage size room with beds taking all floor space. It was nice having the kitchenette but honestly would have preferred a larger room. The bathroom had a good shower but this also was poorly laid out and very dark
The front desk had mentioned when we checked in, that they could move us toward the last night of our stay to a larger room that would be available and I said ok but then when that day came about they said they booked the room that they were going to move us too so I felt misled.
Also there was a constant buzzing noise in the room they came and tried to fix but they couldn't, so we had to live with it.
I wish I could recommend the Arai Hotel Derby Collection but unfortunately for the high price we paid and the very cramped floor plan I can't since it was one of the low points of all the hotels we stayed in during our travels in Spain.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 20 Jul 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We appreciate your kind words about our convenient location in the heart of Barcelona, allowing easy access to many attractions and amenities. We are also glad that you found the kitchenette in your room to be a nice addition. Regarding our room rates, they are alined to other properties of the same category of the area and you are totally free to choose the one that suits best your requirements and budget. While the details, size, and layout of our apartments are clearly shown on our website, we regret that the room size did not meet your expectations. Our Deluxe rooms are designed to accommodate up to 3 people, but we understand that the space might not be suitable for everyone's preferences, even more if you change the room layout, since in the pictures shown the sofa is not located in its original position. For future stays, we recommend considering our larger room options, such as the Family Room or the Jewel Room Exclusive, which offer more space and additional amenities. Furthermore, regarding the room change, as you mentioned, we did propose several alternative rooms to accommodate your request. However, due to limited availability, we had to inform you that a prompt confirmation was necessary to secure your preferred room before it was potentially booked by other guests. Regrettably, by the time we received your response, the room you had requested had already been sold to another guest. We also apologize for the buzzing noise you experienced. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we will consider it for future improvements. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more comfortable and enjoyable stay. Kind regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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We stayed there for three nights in early January 2024 in a superior room.
The Arai deserves the very complimentary reviews it has received. It’s a smallish property in the heart of the Gothic Quarter that is part of the Derby Hotel Collection.
The staff is professional, friendly and eager to please. The rooms are good sized and well appointed and designed. The two lifts function nicely. The kitchens are well stocked. The property seems very secure. As noted by several other reviewers there’s no escaping the noise from the surrounding streets, usually until 2300-2400. It can begin again around 0600 as vendors ready their places in the Placa de George Orwell, and as shops prepare to open. We found the noise level to be acceptable given the location.
We did not eat in the restaurant, visit the terrace, swim in the pool, or use the gym, so no comments/reviews on these things.
We found a good nightly rate many weeks in advance of our stay, but now see the rates are quite a bit higher. If you enjoy boutique hotels, in great locations, with a professional staff, and this one fits your budget, we recommend you consider the Arai.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 16 Jan 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to leave us this feedback. We're delighted to hear that you appreciated our professional staff and the size and design of our rooms. Our team is committed to providing a secure and well-maintained environment, so it's great to know that these aspects stood out to you. We understand that the vibrancy of our central location can sometimes carry sound, and we're grateful for your understanding and acceptance of the noise level due to our downtown setting. Rest assured, we've taken measures such as soundproofed windows to enhance guest comfort. It's wonderful to note that you recognized the value of our property and recommend our boutique hotel for its location and professionalism. We look forward to welcoming you next time you visit Barcelona. Best wishes, Greg Behn, General Manager
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This is a great smaller hotel. Staff is very pleasant and helpful. They really want you to have a great stay. Our room was spotlessly clean and housekeeping was superb. The rooms are nicely sized with a large bath, with excellent water pressure and a well designed shower. The bed was one of the most comfortable we have ever experienced. Great location in the old town with plenty of good restaurants and bars nearby. The floor to ceiling windows open to a small balcony. The windows are well sound proofed but if you are a very light sleeper ask for a room on a higher level or not on the front facing side. Air conditioning was perfect and easily controlled. Highly recommend !
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Suggest taking a room on a higher floor and not in the front if you are a very light sleeper. No...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 19 Sept 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to review your recent stay. We are thrilled to hear that our staff made a positive impression on you and that you found our rooms to be spotlessly clean and comfortable. It's great to know that you appreciated the large bathroom, excellent water pressure, and well-designed shower. We are also glad that you enjoyed our convenient location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars. Regarding the soundproofing of our windows, we understand that being in the city center can sometimes be noisy. However, we do our best to minimize any disturbance by providing soundproofed windows. We appreciate your suggestion to request a higher floor or a room not facing the front for lighter sleepers. Thank you for your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back in the future. We hope that you will be able to return for another great experience. Kind regards,
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Hotel was beautifully decorated, staff were wonderful, kind, and helpful. Easy walk to most sites and experiences in Barcelona, and easy taxi ride to Park Guell and other sites. Groceries just a short walk to the left. Alamo (and others) less than 15min walk away if you want to rent a car (they have car seats).
As for the room, AC worked well and is much needed in the summer. Jewel room - stovetop and sink (under counter) in both rooms, fridges as well. small (3-4in) step in one of the bedrooms, our 1yo tripped on but that is the only, minor issue I can speak of. Crib was free of charge and perfect (some places have shady cribs, but this one was great). Rooms are reportedly sound proof and it seemed an accurate description. Showers, facilities worked great and elevators were swift. Nice table for family meals and some limited cozy seats which we never needed since we were always on the go. No restaurant on site but if you get breakfast they usually bring yogurt, orange juice, pastries and a sandwich. It was too hot to use the outdoor tubs but they seemed nice.
Pool is small but readily available down the hall from our room, and the gym looked nice (again, never used). Great feel from the experience and we would stay again.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 28 Aug 2023
Dear Jim, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We are delighted to hear that you appreciated our beautifully decorated hotel and found our team to be kind and helpful. It's great to know that our location made it easy for you to explore Barcelona and access various sites, as well as groceries and car rental services. We're glad that the Jewel room met your needs, with its well-functioning air conditioning, stovetop, sink, and fridge. It's also nice to hear that the crib provided was of good quality and that you found our rooms to be soundproof, ensuring a comfortable stay for your family. We apologize for the minor issue with the small step in the bedroom, and we appreciate your understanding. It's good to know that you enjoyed the breakfast delivered to your room and found the pool and gym facilities to be satisfactory. We hope that you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor tubs during a future visit when the weather is cooler. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Barcelona. Best wishes, Greg Behn, General Manager
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We had a great stay at Hotel Arai. We stayed in a Deluxe Apartment for 4 nights in October 2024. The room and bathroom were just like the pictures on their website. For reference, I uploaded a pic of the main room, the entry hallway with kitchenette area, and the bathroom.
The bed was very comfortable, there was plenty of storage for luggage/clothing and the air-conditioning worked great.
One important thing to be aware of is that the majority of hotels in Spain will switch from a/c to heat once cooler weather arrives. During our stay in Spain, it was very difficult to find hotels that would confirm the a/c would be available since we were visiting in October. That was no issue with Hotel Arai - the a/c was still available for guests to use. I would recommend always checking on a/c availability before staying anywhere in Spain. We really appreciated the cool room at Hotel Arai!
We were surprised at how quiet our room was. The windows do a great job of blocking any exterior noises. Yes, there is a square behind the hotel that is busy, but we never heard a thing with our windows closed.
The location was great. We easily walked to most places. Reception was very helpful, and they were there 24 hours/day. We know some Spanish, but they spoke excellent English. We arrived early in the morning before our room was ready, so we left our luggage there while we explored Barcelona. They messaged us when our room was ready. Checking in was simple, and there were no surprise charges when we checked out. Everything was great!
We never made it up to the roof and pool, so can’t comment on that. Also, we left our “do not disturb” sign on the door during our stay, so can’t comment on housekeeping.
We paid an average of $342/night for the Deluxe apartment (with no breakfast). In Barcelona, I think this was a great place to stay for the price. We would definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 4 Nov 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for these comments concerning your visit. It is heartening to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your time at Aparthotel Arai. We are delighted that you appreciated the comfort of the Deluxe Apartment, the seamless operation of our air-conditioning system during the transitional weather, and the tranquility afforded by our soundproofed windows. It is also great that you found our location ideal for exploring Barcelona and that our reception team was able to assist you with any inquiries and facilitate a smooth check-in and check-out process. We are also pleased that you felt the price was commensurate with the quality of your stay. We look forward to seeing you again in the future. Best regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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This is a beautiful boutique type hotel in an excellent location. The room looked even better than the pictures. Super high ceilings with exposed brick. Nice big rainfall shower. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. Large kitchenette with full sized refrigerator. Complimentary water, chocolates and coffee in the room was a pleasant unexpected surprise. There were a few bottles of very reasonably priced wine in the refrigerator that were convenient and appreciated. I loved this hotel and can't recommend it enough.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 12 Nov 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for this excellent review. We're thrilled to hear that your stay at Aparthotel Arai was enjoyable. We are pleased that the room's unique aesthetics, with its super high ceilings and exposed brick, enhanced your experience. Our team takes great pride in preserving the building's original architecture to offer an ambiance of comfort and luxury. Additionally, the convenience of having a large, fully-equipped kitchenette in each room is something we're glad you appreciated. Finally, we're delighted to know that the thoughtful touches, such as the complimentary water, chocolates and coffee, contributed to your stay. It's wonderful that you found the in-room selection of wines to be reasonable and convenient. Our location in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is indeed a highlight, and we're happy that it served as an excellent base for your visit. We hope that you will be able to return for another great experience. Kind regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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During our 4 night stay at the Arai, we were absolutely charmed by this stylish hotel and its prime location in the Gothic quarter.
Our room was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate a family of 3/4 people, boasting plenty of natural light, modern decor, and impeccable cleanliness.
And the staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and always eager to assist us during our stay.
We wholeheartedly recommend this fabulous hotel to anyone visiting Barcelona, and we can't wait to return soon for another memorable visit.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel- cmanager, Owner at Aparthotel Arai
Responded 4 Jul 2024
Dear Antonio, It was a pleasure to receive your kind review of your stay with us. We are pleased that you found our apartments spacious, well-lit, and meticulously maintained, offering modern decor and the utmost cleanliness. It is also wonderful to know that our dedicated team contributed to your enjoyable experience with their friendly and helpful service. Furthermore, we are delighted that our location in the Gothic Quarter provided a prime starting point for your explorations in Barcelona. We look forward to welcoming you back. Best regards, Greg Behn, General Manager
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Yes they can. You probably need to specify/ask to the driver. They don't all make the effort to navigate through the area and the narrow streets. On first day, my driver brought me to a cathedral close to the hotel. He said he got lost and I felt he did not want to drive further. He gave me a 'crappy' reason for not bringing me closer. But when I left the hotel on my last day, the taxi picked me up right at the door. So yes they can get to the hotel...with a bit of effort.
There are more places to choose from in the Barcelona area.
PRICE RANGE
£153 - £305 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
SpainCataloniaProvince of BarcelonaBarcelonaCiutat Vella (Old Town) / Barrio Gòtico (Barri Gòtic) / El Congrés i els Indians
NUMBER OF ROOMS
32
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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